Chinese Workers Accused of Eating Zimbabwe’s Endangered Wildlife

Hemera/Th​inkstock(HARARE, Zimbabwe) -- Adding to an economy in crisis, Zimbabwe now faces a reduction in its prized wildlife after reports surfaced of Chinese workers killing and eating endangered species.

Chinese companies have increased in the past five years in Zimbabwe and with them an influx of workers. Some of these workers have been accused of buying, killing and eating animals that are expensive fare in their native China, but can be acquired cheaply or at no cost in the southern African nation, according to a report by the Global Post.

The paper also reports that recently four Chinese workers were fined $300 each and deported after officials found shells of the endangered Bell’s Hinged tortoises in their residence. Pythons, leopards and even local village dogs have been disappearing at an alarming rate in some areas and have become a concern for the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA).

ZNSPCA tells the Post that the poaching of animals is an issue in the country and with the cash-strapped organization unable to tackle the many cases, they are planning to meet with the Chinese Embassy to discuss what can be done about the poaching.